Hey, I'm not arguing about the advent of new technology per se--I'm not a Luddite, time goes on.

But my argument is this: give me something that makes investment in the new technology worthy, and make it at an affordable and accessible price. There's a huge difference between LOTR making the studios' dream of DVD technology become a hit with the masses, and me not minding plonking down en extra $50 for the EE's each year, and a $150-200 or however much a DVD player cost back in the day--and having to plonk down a couple *thousand* on a new maga-screen HDTV for that "ultimate 3D experience"? If easy credit is no longer a given in this global financial climate, and with real income for millions in the US and Europe shrinking year by year, where do they expect "consumers" to have that money? The free and easy days of reckless spending of the past 15 yrs are gone, "green shoots" or not. People are being pickier about venturing to the theater--they'll only go to see what has great WOM. And the mioves that have great WOM are what will go into the HDTV. "Content" sells hardware--not the other way around. WHY can't the studios learn this??

Studios are hoping that Avatar will be to HDTV and Blu-Ray and 3D what LOTR was to DVD's. We shall see. But I have a feeling that it might be The Hobbit that would do that...IF people wanted it to. And the verdict of this site is an unequivocal we don't want it to. At least not now--not until the theatrical releases are over with. And for good reason.

If this is what it would take, then I don't want it to. If PJ and crew, and Del Toro and crew, were to approach their Art--esp The Hobbit--like this push for Avatar, there's no way I'd see TH in the theater. Sorry. Excuse me for being pretentious, but I DO want to see the total dedication to their art these artists have come first.

Sorry for seeming like a grouch..it's just that I'm comparing what Cameron is doing with the unique and lovely thing we have going here...thst said, I am going to see Avatar..once. Whther or not I see it twice is up to the story and characters. If I cry, I'll see it again. Simple as that...